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From left to right, Doug Berven (POET), Kent Hartwig (Gevo), Seth Harder (Husker Ag), Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Chris Riley (ADM), Prestin Read (MABE), and Mark Christensen (NCP).

Growth Energy presented Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen (R) with its highest honor—the America’s Fuel Award—last week, in recognition of his commitment to American bioethanol and his efforts to make Nebraska’s biofuels industry among the strongest in the nation.

“Nearly one year ago, Governor Jim Pillen led the charge to pass the E15 Access Standard Act, and then signed it into law…thanks to his effort and leadership, Nebraska drivers will soon have expanded access to E15 through this landmark legislation,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor as she presented the award to Gov. Pillen at an event in Lincoln. “Governor Pillen knows firsthand the positive impact this will have on Nebraska’s farmers and biofuel producers, and we are grateful for his tremendous leadership and his work with the legislature to get this across the finish line.”

“With Governor Pillen at the helm, Nebraska is blazing a trail for biofuels, and we hope other states will follow his example,” she added.

America’s Fuel Award is presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty as a champion for the renewable fuels industry. Past winners of America’s Fuel Award include Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, former Iowa Governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, retired four-star General Wesley Clark, and Richard Childress of Richard Childress Racing. 

For more information, please contact Vice President of Communications Elizabeth Funderburk.

LATEST EIA DATA

Last week, domestic ethanol demand was 14.6 BGY, up 5.0% compared to a week ago. The EIA-reported gas demand was up 5.0% from last week, at 142.8 BGY. The 4-week average ethanol and gas demand are 14.0 and 136.5 BGY (-1.8% YoY).

Ethanol production was 15.6 BGY last week, up 1.9% versus the week before, and 3.0% less than the 4-week average in 2019. Midwest production was up 1.0% (+2.9 MG) versus a week ago, and average production in the other regions was up 19.6% (+2.6 MG), mainly in the USGC region. Capacity utilization of plants online was 88.3% overall, 89.5% in the Midwest, and 71.5% on average, elsewhere, excluding 1,247 MGY of capacity shutdown at 25 ethanol plants for other than maintenance (details on pg. 31). On an installed capacity basis, utilization was 82.5% overall, 86.7% in the Midwest and 44.5% in the other regions.

Exports were an estimated 31.6 MG last week based on 140 MG of exports forecast for May. The EIA reported no ethanol imports last week.

Overall inventory was down 16.7 MG last week. EIA-counted stocks decreased 11.6 MG, and regional changes were: East (-9 MG), Gulf (+9 MG) and West (-3 MG) Coasts and the Midwest (-9 MG). In-transit inventory decreased 5.1 MG.

Based on the total inventory of 1,794 MG on May 17th and the 4-week avg. domestic demand, there were 47.4 days of supply, down 1.6 days versus a week ago. Including the 4-week avg. of net exports, there were 42.4 days of supply, down 1.2 days versus a week ago.

For more information, please contact Jake Comer.

WORKING FOR YOU

UPCOMING EVENTS

Get Bioethanol NASCAR Toyota/Save Mart 350

Sonoma, CA

June 9, 2024

2024 International Fuel Ethanol Workshop

Minneapolis, MN

June 10-12, 2024

IN REGULATORY AFFAIRS

Growth Energy's SVP of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley (at podium) in Detroit, Mich.

Last week, Chris Bliley, Growth Energy's Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, was in Detroit, Mich. in his role as co-chair of the Ag-Auto-Ethanol Working Group for the group’s annual meeting. Joining Bliley were a number of automakers, state corn grower organizations, bioethanol groups and other stakeholders. The group is focused on the use of high octane, low-carbon bioethanol as a means to helping automakers achieve vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards. Bliley, along with his fellow co-chair, Michael Moore from Stellantis, moderated panels on key issues such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) multi-pollutant rule for light-duty vehicles, low-carbon fuel standards, and the Next Generation Fuels Act.

Bliley continues his travels this week as a member of EPA's Mobile Source Technical Review Subcommittee (MSTRS), which is meeting in Chicago, Ill. today. MSTRS provides independent advice, counsel, and recommendations on the scientific and technical aspects of EPA programs related to mobile source air pollution and motor fuels. Through its various workgroups, MSTRS addresses a wide range of developments, issues, and research areas, such as emissions modeling, air toxics, innovative and incentive-based transportation policies, on-board diagnostics, heavy-duty engines, and reformulated gasoline. MSTRS is composed of approximately 30 technical experts drawn from a wide range of stakeholder organizations. 

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Chris Bliley.

IN GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

Rep. Darin LaHood (second from left) visits Adkins Energy LLC in Lena, Ill.

Representative Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) recently visited the Lena, Ill. ethanol plant location of Adkins Energy, a Growth Energy member. Adkins Energy is one of the largest locally-owned ethanol plants in the region, and Rep. LaHood has been a consistent supporter of Illinois' biofuels producers and the bioethanol industry as a whole.

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor filling up with Unleaded 88.

The summer driving season begins this weekend, and we want to remind you to fill up with lower-cost, lower-carbon E15 (Unleaded 88) at the pump as you hit the road! 

Whether it's everyday errands or a cross-country road trip, join Growth Energy in our E15 Summer Challenge! Share your savings with us on social media using the hashtag #E15SummerChallenge!

For more information, please contact Vice President of Government Affairs John Fuher.

IN OUR ASSOCIATION

While in Nebraska last week to present Governor Pillen with the America's Fuel Award, Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor attended and spoke at Renewable Fuels Nebraska (RFN's) quarterly membership meeting in Lincoln (pictured above). 

For more information, please contact Senior Vice President of Development Kelly Manning.

Growth Energy is the leading voice of America’s biofuel industry, delivering a new generation of plant-based energy and climate solutions.

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